One jog forward, two slow steps back.
So, yesterday was my first real Physical Therapy appointment. Real in the sense that we actually did something instead of looking at me being in pain.
I also had someone different than the first appointment, and this person is a runner, so that’s kinda nice. We talked about goals. I had one. That goal was to be running again as soon as possible. She was very nice about it, but gently suggested maybe a better goal was to get healthy, so I could go running with the most chance of avoiding injury in the future. Whatever.
She also pooh-poohed the idea that the doctor had given me that I would be running again in about a week (two weeks from the steroid shot of death). Her actual words, “I will not tell you that you can’t run. But I will give you two choices. 1) Start running and come and see me two times a week for the next 4 to 6 months. 2) Hold off the running until you’re healed and stronger, and see me two times a week for the next 4 to 6 weeks.”
Stupid choices.
Confession time: Tuesday evening, I went to the gym. To walk on the treadmill. And I did – for 30 minutes. But, I got a little excited and ran for 2. Only two, though, so it hardly counts.
Last night, I went on a walk with my good friend (and occasional commenter) Kim. We did a 3-mile loop, I think. And it was pretty good. Until the last ¼ mile. The PT had told me that due to the nature of my injury, I should never push through the pain, but stop immediately when there is pain. Which, of course, is totally how I roll really hard for me. I will generally push through the pain – and I did let her know that it would be hard for me to not. However, it never occurred to me that maybe I would have to push the pain if I was still ¼ mile away from the end point, where the food (yum!) and beer (double-yum!) and my car were. Kim did offer me a piggy-back, but looked a little less-than-enthusiastic when I accepted. Hee.
So – trying to take it easy. I am so sore today – I feel like I did something crazy last night instead of a 2 ¾ mile power walk followed by a ¼ mile gimpy shuffle. I think between the PT exercises and the walk, it was more than I’ve done in a couple of months – which just makes me sad. However, I got the go ahead to go back to my weights class (yay! see you next Thursday morning at 6 AM) if I’m careful during squats and lunges, and I can elliptical, and walk, and yoga. She also mentioned swimming. And then I killed her.
HA! Just kidding. I said I’d think about it. She wants me to find an aquatic exercise class or a place where I can water jog. One of the local 24-Hours has an aqua class. Of course it’s all in the middle of the day on weekdays, but I might try the 10AM Monday class. Although that might have to wait until 9/15. No classes on Labor Day, and my next Monday is booked solid (8:30 PT; 10:30 new gym tour; 1:30 Dr. appt.; 4:30 yoga; 6:30 board meeting).
And since I mentioned new gym tour, I have to admit it’s true: I am gym shopping. I realize that would mean no more crazy weights with my favorite Portland gym bunnies – but we’ll always have running! And yoga!
Anyhoo – the architect and I are going camping this weekend –so expect an exciting photo essay on Monday! Nothing says fun like someone else’s vacation pics, right?
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